Introduction: An empyema Thoracis is a purulent collection in the pleural space. It is a disease that, despite centuries of study, still causes significant morbidity and mortality. Empyema thoracis in children is very commonly seen all over the world, more frequently as a complication of pneumonic infections. In paediatric patients, empyema thoracis complicates pneumonia 36% to 57% of the time with a range of incidence between 0.4 and 6.0 cases per 1000 pediatric admissions. It constitutes approximately 5- 10% of cases seen by pediatrician in India. Light et al (1980) proposed 3 lights criteria for diagnosis which is still acceptable universally. Aim & Objective: To find out the clinical profile, average hospital stay, complication and outcome following management & long term sequale on follow up in patients of empyema thoracis between the age group of 1 month-14 years with special reference to organism isolated & their sensitivity pattern. Method: It is a prospective study. All the children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were taken into study. details examinations, history, clinical examination was done. The data obtained were analysed. Observation: Incidence of empyema thoracis was 0.39 among all cases admitted during study period. Male children are more commonly affected. Pneumonia was the most common predisposing factor associated in more than 54% of cases. Duration of Fever in present study 51% were found less than 7 days. Raised temperature (98 %), tachypnea (87 %), intercostals tenderness (82%) were the most common clinical signs. 80 cases (85%) improved by ICTD along with antibiotics, 8 cases required only aspiration and antibiotics. Conclusion: Empyema thoracis was most common in 1-5 years children with male preponderance. Higher incidence was seen in spring season and in malnourished children. Light’scriteria is a sensitive diagnostic criteria for diagnosing empyema in children. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant causative organism. Vancomycin, linezolid, imipenam, piperacillin & tazobactam, ceftriaxone are still the sensitive antibiotic in most of cases. Appropriate antibiotics for at least 2 weeks and early instillation of intercostals tube drainage must be done in every case to drain the pus and to prevent septicaemia, as it is a important cause of mortality.
